Evaluation of safety and efficacy of liver biopsy following liver transplant.

OBJECTIVES Liver biopsy is a diagnostic tool for liver pathology after liver transplant. However, biopsy can cause life-threating complications. There is limited knowledge about efficacy and complications of liver biopsy after liver transplant. Our aim was to evaluate the risk and benefit of liver biopsy after liver transplant and quality of biopsy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed all liver biopsies performed after liver transplant between January 2000 and October 2014. All patients were monitored for minimum 24 hours after biopsy. RESULTS We performed 245 liver biopsies in 159 liver transplant patients. Fifteen biopsies (6%) were nondiagnostic. In the samples, there were 102 cases (41%) of acute rejection, 79 cases (35%) of cholangitis, and 49 cases (20%) of cholestasis observed. Complications after biopsy were seen in 23 patients (9%) and biopsies. There were 7 patients who had severe abdominal pain followed by fever. We diagnosed 4 patients who had intercostal/subcapsular bleeding and 12 patients who had vasovagal reaction. All patients were treated with analgesic agents and monitored for 24 hours. No blood transfusion or surgery was required. CONCLUSIONS Liver biopsy after liver transplant is an invasive diagnostic tool for liver pathology. However, it can be used safely in experienced centers.